The Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) Nurse Home Injection Program is a treatment option which provides the convenience of home care with the quality of a clinical experience.
This section will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Nurse Home Injection Program, including:
- Am I eligible for this program based on my medical and pharmaceutical insurance coverage?
- According to my disease state, am I a candidate for this program?
- What are the main benefits of the Sandostatin® LAR Depot Nurse Home Injection Program?
- Is flexible scheduling available?
- How is my nurse selected?
- How does my Sandostatin® LAR Depot get to my home?
- Will I still see my physician regularly?
- Does this involve a lot of paperwork on my part?
Getting started
Q: Am I eligible for this program based on my medical and pharmaceutical insurance coverage?
A: The Sandostatin® LAR Depot Nurse Home Injection Program is intended as a benefit for all eligible acromegaly patients for whom Sandostatin® LAR Depot has been prescribed. Residents of all states except Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Rhode Island can participate. Currently, reimbursement for home injections is provided to members of most commercial plans (eg, HMO, PPO). Patients with government-provided medical insurance (ie, Medicare Parts B and D, or Medicaid) are not covered at this time. Eligibility can be determined by calling the Nurse Home Injection Program, the company that coordinates this program on behalf of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Anyone can call 1-888-LAR-4759 for confirmation of eligibility.
Q: According to my disease state, am I a candidate for this program?
A: This program is for patients with acromegaly only. If the patient has been prescribed Sandostatin® LAR Depot for the first time, the initial dose of therapy must be given in a physician's office or clinic. Further evaluation of each patient's disease state and comorbidities may determine whether or not the patient is a candidate. Those who receive Sandostatin® LAR Depot for other conditions are not eligible at this time. If the patient has an approved insurance plan and qualifies clinically, enrollment is easy.
Getting comfortable
Q: What are the main benefits of the Sandostatin® LAR Depot Nurse Home Injection Program?
A: The Nurse Home Injection Program provides appropriately and conveniently delivered therapy.
- All responsibility for appropriate administration of Sandostatin® LAR Depot is assumed by the registered nurse
- No guesswork: Patients receive the right dose at the right time using the right technique
The Nurse Home Injection Program offers nursing evaluation and follow-up
- Provides ample time for nurses to answer questions
- The nurse reports to the patient's physician after each visit
- The nurse makes the next appointment and will follow-up with a reminder
Q: Is flexible scheduling available?
A: The home visit provides the convenience of home care with the quality of a clinical experience. Incorporating Sandostatin® LAR Depot into your schedule is easy. This program enables patients to receive therapy beyond the traditional office hours if necessary. Evenings and weekends may be possible.
Q: How is my nurse selected?
A: Specially trained registered nurses are selected by the Nurse Home Injection Program to administer injections in the home. All nurses have been fully instructed and evaluated in their knowledge of acromegaly, the prescribing information for Sandostatin® LAR Depot, and the mixing and injection process. All nurses in the program are continuously monitored by Nurse Coordinators at the Nurse Home Injection Program and are in regular contact with the prescribing physician.
Q: How does my Sandostatin® LAR Depot get to my home?
A: Patients may continue to get their prescriptions for Sandostatin® LAR Depot in their current manner. Insurance coverage for the drug is independent of coverage eligibility for home injections. Depending on a patient's pharmacy coverage, the drug may be shipped to the patient's home or local pharmacy for pickup. These details can be worked out with a Nurse Home Injection Program Case Coordinator.
NOTE: Sandostatin® LAR Depot must be refrigerated immediately upon receipt and until use.
Q: Will I still see my physician regularly?
A: Yes. Physician evaluation and biochemical testing will still occur at appropriate intervals. Many patients with acromegaly are tested every 3 months and some are evaluated every 6 months. Patients will still adhere to the office schedule directed by their physicians. The only difference is that monthly injections will be administered at home. Schedules are planned according to nursing orders from the physician.
Q: Does this involve a lot of paperwork on my part?
A: No. The enrollment form, which you can download here, will be filled out at the physician's office, signed by the patient, and faxed to the Nurse Home Injection Program. Most of the communication after this takes place by phone. The Nurse Coordinator calls patients for interviews and assessments prior to the first visit. All scheduling is done by the nurses and is communicated to the scheduler at the Nurse Home Injection Program.
Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is indicated for long-term maintenance therapy in acromegalic patients who have had an inadequate response to surgery and/or radiotherapy, or for whom surgery and/or radiotherapy is not an option. The goal of treatment in acromegaly is to reduce GH and IGF-1 levels to normal.
Important Safety Information:
As with immediate release Sandostatin® Injection, the most frequently reported drug-related adverse events were biliary disorders (52%), gastrointestinal disorders (7% to 36%), and injection-site pain (2% to 11%). Hypoglycemia (2%), hyperglycemia (15%), and hypothyroidism (2%) have been reported. While not measured in acromegalic patients receiving Sandostatin® LAR Depot, ECG changes have been reported in patients receiving immediate release Sandostatin® Injection; the degree to which these abnormalities are related to octreotide acetate is not clear, as many acromegalics have cardiovascular disease. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
